Mothering Earth Podcast

Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants in the spring, but need different plants, those that provide nectar, during their winter migration south. Cathy Downs, a Master Naturalist, and Monarch Watch conservation specialist, details both migrations, and gives us tips on what to plant, and when these unique butterflies will be coming through your part of the country.

Butterflies are magical creatures that bring joy to most people. But have you ever wondered about their lives, and about what those amazing colored wings are made of? In this program with Monarch Watch Conservation specialist Cathy Downs, we delve into the mysteries of the world of butterflies and, especially of Monarch butterflies.

Flooding is an all too common disaster, but there are ways to mitigate the effects of flooding, and increase the resiliency of the land. Whether you live near a body of water, or not, you can be part of the solution, as you'll hear in this program.

All water is a precious resource, including the water we use every day to flush our toilets. Low-flow toilets are designed to minimize water use, but there is also a way to design home wastewater treatment systems, that safely reuse toilet water. My guests Dr. Joan Jernigan and David Venhuizen have spent a lot of time working on this issue and are here to share their knowledge.

We often hear about animal species that are on the road to extinction, or species that are becoming more rare. Plants, too, can suffer the same fate. There are many plants all over the world that are classified as rare and in many cases, the cause, loss of habitat, is the same as that for animal species. Botanist Anna Strong gives us insight into the world of rare plants.

Some of them we love, for example butterflies and bees. Some we hate, such as cockroaches and lice. Some are crustaceans that live in the oceans, such as crabs, lobsters and shrimp. There are many more invertebrate creatures that inhabit the earth, and many of them are vital to human survival. In this program, we enter the world of invertebrates with invertebrate biologist Ross Winton.

Fresh water is essential to all life and it is a finite resource. Most of us don't think much about letting the water run when we wash dishes, bathe or brush our teeth. Yet, those are all examples of wasting water. In Wimberley, Texas, a new school is being built that will utilize a "one water" design. The one water concept recognizes the importance of smart water use where the building and ground...

Protecting bees is vital as a large percentage of crops that we rely on for food are pollinated by bees. In this program, meet Walter Schumacher, the Bee Czar, who saves so-called “nuisance” hives from extinction, by relocating them to bee-friendly places. That’s just part of the mission for the organization he formed, the American Honey Bee Protection Agency.

Organic farmer John Stanley works long days to grow vegetables that are delicious and packed with nutrition. He does that by using methods that enrich the soil and at the same time, reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, thereby helping the environment. Meet Stanley in this program, and hear him tell how he does that, and why that is so important.

The answer to our need for renewable energy sources may, in fact, be blowing in the wind. Wind turbines are popping up in more places as the cost of wind, and of solar energy drops. That price drop has resulted in predictions that by 2050, half the world's electricity will come from renewables. In this program, we get a picture of what the future will be in wind.

Invasive species are those that are not native to an area. They generally spread easily, thereby damaging the natural environment, and in some cases, causing harm to humans and the economy. Invasives may be plants or animals. In this program, learn about invasives, and what you can do to control their spread.

Growing herbs is quite easy, as most are unfussy plants that do well in most soils and climates. But what can you do with your herbs? That's the question Judy Barrett, a well-known author and organic gardening expert, addresses, in this conversation, and in her book titled What Can I Do With My Herbs?

Weeds, insect pests, and plant diseases are problems that all gardeners face, at one time or another. My guest Judy Barrett is a well-known author and organic gardening expert, who has a different approach than most to these common travails.

Creating soil that holds water should be the goal of all humans who take care of any land. Why? When soil holds water, rain soaks in rather than rushing off and causing floods. This kind of soil is also better in times of drought, when soil can turn to dust and be blown away. My guest Pete Van Dyck is a restoration ecologist, and in this program talks about practical solutions to the recurring pro...

You have heard about phytonutrients, but may wonder what they are? Phytonutrients are substances found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and spices that have valuable antioxidant properties. What exactly will they do for you? My guest Joe Urbach negotiates the world of phytonutrients in this Mothering Earth program.

Moringa oleifera is a plant that has a long history of being used to treat a multitude of ailments, including joint pain, asthma, cancer, ulcers, headache, heart problems, and high blood pressure. The entire plant is edible, except for the roots. Moringa, also called the miracle tree is native to India, but also grown in Asia, Africa and South America. In this program, we hear from Joe Urbach who...

In this program, I continue my conversation with author Pamela Rice on the links between environmental damage and the production of meat. Here we focus on government supports for the production of meat, which keeps meat prices low, and on the effects of widespread commercial fishing.

The production of meat, whether from cows, pigs, chickens or other animals results in serious damage to our air, water and soil. Factory-farming traps millions of animals in what critics describe as a cruel and inhumane system. In this program, we take a look at some of the effects of a meat-based diet in a conversation with author and activist Pamela Rice.

American University is the first large educational institution in the United States to become carbon neutral. It is an impressive achievement! I spoke to Megan Litke, Director of Sustainability Programs, who oversaw the effort, about what they did and how they did it.

What is biological integrity? It is a way of evaluating the health of an eco-system. In this program, Chris Searles, founder of a nonprofit organization called BioIntegrity, explains why it is important to preserve the biological integrity of rainforests, and the ways in which these areas of the world can contribute to holding back the damaging effects of climate change.

In part two of Soil Science, we continue our deep dive into garden soil and hear about what to add to help our plants grow, flower, fruit and prosper in every way.

You may call it dirt, earth, or soil. Regardless of what term you use, it is a substance that is vital to our existence. Soil is where we plant our food crops, but we may rarely think about what it is. In this program, we talk to George Altgelt, an expert in soil biology, about what makes up soil, why it is important, and what we should feed it. It is information every serious gardener needs to kn...

In part two of my conversation with Jenny Perez of the American Botanical Council, we delve into Hibiscus Sabdariffa, turmeric and the elegant goji berry.

Do herbs really have medicinal powers? You bet! In this program, you will hear from an expert on growing herbs and on using herbs as medicine, namely Jenny Perez, education coordinator for the American Botanical Council in Austin, TX. After you listen, you’ll be inspired to plant some herbs in your little patch of earth, or just in a nice big planter.

Discouraging egg-eating behavior by your chickens is just one of many chicken-keeping mysteries explained in part two of my conversation with avian expert Jesse Huth. Jesse also talks about how to identify other birds and birding tours that he leads.